CRI听力:China "Considering" Eurozone Rescue Plan

Merkel has been spending much of her time trying to reassure her Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao that European countries will work together to keep the euro stable.

"I was told that China was prepared to apply itself to a stable euro as part of the shared responsibility for a stable world economy. At the same time, it is of course clear that the main task lies with the countries of Europe, we have to do our homework, we have to solve our problems."

For his part, Wen Jiabao says China is now "considering" contributing more to the European rescue funds.

"China's relevant departments are now researching and evaluating the specific approaches of China investing via the International Monetary Fund and China's greater involvement in solving the European debt crisis via the European Financial Stability Facility, the upcoming European Stability Mechanism and other channels."

The EFSF is a temporary rescue fund which is expected to be replaced by the ESM, a 500 billion-euro permanent bailout fund, in July.

European leaders have been eyeing China as a possible source of funding to help save the struggling eurozone economy.

Wen Jiabao has pointed out that since Europe is China's largest export destination, a stable euro is also vital to China.

Meanwhile, on the strategic front, Merkel is suggesting China can use its influence to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear program.

To what end, though, Merkel hasn't said.

However, Wen Jiabao did take time to suggest China isn't too impressed with the idea of sanctions on Iranian oil.
 
"China objects to politicizing the normal commercial exchanges. China's normal economic and trade relationship with Iran, including crude oil business, will not violate the international laws and the resolutions of the U.N. Security Council."

Merkel is set to meet with Chinese president Hu Jintao today before traveling to the southern economic hub of Guangzhou, which is home to some 4 hundred German companies.

She'll be accompanied by Wen Jiabao.

For CRI, I'm Su Yi.